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The IPCC’s scientific conclusions are unquestionable: there can be no doubt that global warming is taking place and the IPCC considers it extremely likely (more than 95% probability, compared to 90% in 2007 and 66% in 2001) that human activity is responsible for the increase in mean global temperatures since the mid 20th century.

After COP20 in Lima, which laid some important groundwork, the aim of COP21 in December 2015 is to reach an international climate agreement enabling us to limit global warming to below 2°C. Yet France views the climate challenge not only as the need to share the emissions burden, but also as an opportunity to create jobs and wealth and to invent new modes of production and consumption.

At European Union (EU) level, France advocates an ambitious position, with the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by 2030, then 60% by 2040 (compared with 1990), to ensure the EU maintains an ambitious and exemplary approach.

In France, the government has initiated an ecological and energy transition with the aim of markedly reducing its carbon emissions. Its greenhouse gas emissions per person are already among the lowest of developed countries. It is also working closely with developing countries, through development assistance, to promote transitions to low-carbon economies.